diff --git a/share/mk/bsd.compiler.mk b/share/mk/bsd.compiler.mk
index c38c76ea4b3d..2d648de6c485 100644
--- a/share/mk/bsd.compiler.mk
+++ b/share/mk/bsd.compiler.mk
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ COMPILER_TYPE:=	gcc
 .  elif ${_COMPILER_VERSION:Mclang}
 COMPILER_TYPE:=	clang
 .  else
-.error Unable to determine compiler type for ${CC}
+.error Unable to determine compiler type for ${CC}.  Consider setting COMPILER_TYPE.
 .  endif
 .  undef _COMPILER_VERSION
 . endif